Chapter 4: Strange Encounters

The morning sun filtered through the mist hanging over the fields, casting long shadows across the damp grass. Kori stood in front of the house, her arms crossed, staring at what was left of the shed that had gone up in flames the night before. The smell of burnt wood still lingered in the cool air, mixing with the earthy scent of the wet ground. The shed, once a decaying structure, was now a pile of blackened, smoking rubble.

She kicked a piece of charred wood with the toe of her boot, watching it crumble into ash. The fire had started so suddenly, and she still couldn’t figure out how. The storm had been intense, but the lightning hadn’t struck anywhere near the shed—or at least, that’s how it had seemed. And those eyes…the shadows in the woods…she shivered at the memory.

Maybe I’m losing it, she thought, running a hand through her messy hair.

The sound of tires crunching on gravel interrupted her thoughts. She turned, coming around the side of the house just as Frank’s car pulled up in the driveway. He stepped out, straightening his suit jacket as his eyes met hers. A warm smile spread across his face as soon as he saw her.

“Kori!” he called, walking toward her with a quick but casual pace. “I hope you and Megan are settling in all right.”

Kori tried to smile, but her mind was still on the fire and the strange happenings from the night before. “We’re getting there,” she replied, her voice a little strained.

Frank reached her, glancing around the property. His eyes flicked over the house and then shifted to the remnants of the shed behind her. “What happened here?” he asked, his smile faltering.

Kori took a breath, gesturing toward the burnt remains. “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. The shed caught fire last night—out of nowhere. I think it started just after the storm hit, but…well, it wasn’t just the fire that bothered me.”

Frank’s expression changed, a flicker of something unreadable passing over his face before he quickly smoothed it out. “A fire? During the storm? That’s unusual, but it could happen, I suppose. Lightning has a way of hitting the oddest places.”

“I thought that too at first,” Kori said, watching him carefully. “But there’s something else. Something strange.”

Frank’s eyebrows rose, his smile gone now. “Strange how?”

Kori hesitated. The moment felt heavy, like there was something deeper beneath the surface of this conversation. She had to know if Frank would brush her off or confirm her suspicions. Might as well sound crazy, she thought, taking a breath.

“Wolves,” she said, watching for his reaction.

Frank’s body stiffened ever so slightly, and for a split second, something like alarm flashed in his eyes. He quickly masked it with a confused look, but Kori saw the change. He wasn’t expecting her to say that.

“Wolves?” he repeated, his tone forced into something resembling casual curiosity.

“Yeah, wolves,” Kori pressed on, her voice growing more serious. “I heard them howling last night, right after the fire started. And I saw…I’m not even sure what I saw, but it looked like figures moving in the woods, watching us. I didn’t get a good look, but there were eyes, Frank. Lots of them.”

Frank blinked, his face suddenly guarded. “Wolves can be common in these parts, especially out in the wilderness. They might have been drawn to the noise and light from the fire. But you don’t need to worry about them. They’re more afraid of you than you are of them.”

His quick dismissal made Kori narrow her eyes. He wasn’t being honest, at least not entirely. She had seen the tension in his shoulders, the way his body had reacted when she mentioned the wolves.

“Are you sure?” she asked, not backing down. “It didn’t feel…normal. I’ve never seen wolves act like that.”

Frank chuckled, though it sounded hollow. “Wolves are wild animals, Kori. They probably smelled the smoke, heard the storm, and got curious. It happens.”

Kori watched him closely, her instincts telling her there was more to this story than he was letting on. But she let it drop, not wanting to push too hard. Frank had been the only person who had helped her so far, and she wasn’t ready to alienate him.

Frank cleared his throat, clearly eager to change the subject. “Actually, I came here to give you some good news.”

Kori blinked in surprise. “Good news? I could really use some of that right about now.”

Frank smiled again, though it was still a little tight around the edges. “I’ve been going over your uncle’s records, and it turns out there was a small account that had been forgotten about. It’s not much, but it should be enough to get the utilities back up and running here, maybe make some necessary repairs.”

Kori’s heart leaped in her chest. “Wait—are you serious?”

Frank nodded, his smile growing more genuine now. “Absolutely. It’s not a fortune, but it’ll help you get on your feet. I’ll get the money transferred to you as soon as possible.”

The weight of the last few weeks suddenly lifted from Kori’s shoulders, and before she could stop herself, she threw her arms around Frank in a tight hug. “Thank you!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with relief.

Frank stiffened in her embrace, clearly taken off guard. He awkwardly patted her back, looking uncomfortable. “Oh, um, no need for that,” he mumbled, pulling back slightly.

Kori released him, realizing how forward she had been. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, but she couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face. “Sorry, I just…you have no idea how much this means to me. To us.”

Frank adjusted his jacket, clearing his throat again. “I’m happy to help, Kori. That’s what I’m here for.”

She stepped back, still grinning like a fool. For the first time in weeks, things were starting to look up. She had been so focused on the fire and the strangeness of the night before that she hadn’t even thought about how they were going to survive in the long term. Now, with some money, they could get water running, fix the roof, maybe even make this old house livable again.

“Frank, I really can’t thank you enough,” Kori said, feeling a swell of gratitude.

Frank waved her off, though he seemed more relaxed now that the conversation had shifted away from the wolves. “Just doing my job. I’ll get the paperwork sorted out, and you should have access to the funds by the end of the week.”

Kori nodded, still beaming. “That’s great. I’ll be able to get a plumber out here, and maybe an electrician too. The place needs so much work…”

Frank glanced at the house, his eyes flicking over the weathered exterior. “It’s got good bones,” he said after a moment. “A little care, and it could be a real home again.”

Kori followed his gaze, her heart swelling with a mix of hope and trepidation. The house was old and falling apart, but it was theirs now. And with a bit of money, maybe they could turn this place into something good—a fresh start for her and Megan.

“Well,” Frank said, checking his watch, “I should get going. I’ll be in touch soon about the transfer.”

Kori nodded. “Thanks again, Frank. Really.”

He gave her a quick smile before heading back to his car. Kori watched him leave, her spirits lifted by the prospect of a little financial relief. But as Frank’s car disappeared down the gravel road, her thoughts drifted back to the wolves. Something had shifted when she’d brought them up. He’d been too quick to dismiss it, and that brief flicker of tension in his eyes hadn’t gone unnoticed.

She shook her head, pushing the thoughts away. You’re just imagining things, she told herself. You’ve been through a lot, and your mind’s playing tricks on you.

Still, as she walked back toward the house, the memory of the glowing eyes in the woods lingered. Something about this place felt…off.

But for now, with a little bit of luck and some extra money, things were finally starting to look up.